ABSTRACT
Cloth masks are a tool for controlling community transmission during pandemics, as well as during other outbreak situations. However, cloth masks vary in their designs, and the consequences of this variability for their effectiveness as source control have received little attention, particularly in terms of user discomfort and problematic mask-wearing behaviors. In the present studies, common design parameters of cloth masks were systematically varied to ascertain their effect(s) on the subjective discomfort and frequency of problematic mask-wearing behaviors, which detract from the effectiveness of cloth masks as source control. The type of fabric comprising a mask (flannel or twill made of 100% cotton) and the attachment-style of a mask (i.e., ear loops or fabric ties) were varied in adults (18 to 65 years) and children (ages 6 to 11 years). For adults, ear loops were less comfortable than ties (p = .035) and were associated with greater face- (p = .005) and mask-touching (p = .001). Children, however, found flannel masks to be more breathable than twill masks (p = .007) but touched their masks more frequently when wearing a mask made of flannel than twill (p = .033). Common design parameters of cloth masks not only affect user discomfort and behavior but do so differently in adults and children. To improve the effectiveness of cloth masks as source control, the present studies highlight the importance of measuring the effect(s) of design decisions on user discomfort and behavior in different populations.
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a severe shortage of personal protective equipment. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the general public to use cloth masks as a protection for individuals and reduce the transmission of the disease. Here, we evaluated the size-dependent filtration efficiency of submicron particles and the overall filtration efficiency (total rejection of particles) of multiple commercially available materials in the size range of 17 to 700 nm. Single-layer samples of woven fabrics such as cotton and polyester have overall filtration efficiency of 12 − 22%. Blended fabrics filter 11 − 48% of particles. Products manufactured from cellulose have filtration efficiency of 29 − 33%. Materials commonly found and used in hospitals remove 20 − 63% of particles and filtration efficiency of filter materials ranges from 40 − 96%. Particle filtration of materials becomes more efficient when individual materials are stacked and used as multiple layers. Different combinations of woven, nonwoven, and blended fabrics were evaluated and have overall particle filtration efficiency of 38 − 63%. Results in this study highlight the importance of using multiple layers in homemade masks to enhance filtration efficiency. Commercially accessible materials like Halyard sterilization wrap and blackout drapery lining show the best filtration performance among all tested single-layer materials and therefore are recommended to use as one of the layers in homemade masks. Universal mask wearing – regardless of whether an individual is infected – will help reduce transmission risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Aerosol Science & Technology is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)